The Martian

“I’m pretty much fucked. That’s my considered opinion.”

These opening sentences of The Martian do two things. First, they convey the urgency of Watney’s situation. But they also reflect the dark humor that is a part of Watney’s character and will continue to be a feature of his narrative. Although the reader doesn’t yet understand the situation, these two sentences immediately pull the reader into both the urgency of the plot and the character who is speaking.

“Guys, if you’re reading this: It wasn’t your fault. You did what you had to do. In your position I would have done the same things. I don’t blame you, and I’m glad you survived.”

This portion of Watney’s mission log directly addresses the rest of the Ares 3 crew. As this message is in the very first log entry, it is clearly foremost in Watney’s mind, and he feels compelled to state it outright. This tells the reader where he stands on the issue of his abandonment and, therefore, where the reader should stand. It also further develops his character: He is not interested in blame or bitterness and can see his situation with clear eyes.

“Okay, I’ve had a good night’s sleep, and things don’t seem as hopeless as they did yesterday.”

This statement speaks to Watney’s character again. The fact that he can move on fairly quickly from despair to problem-solving shows his resilience. This quality is fundamental to his character. It will be called upon time and time again throughout the novel and will be essential to his success.